Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-27

The District Commissioners admit the pater-
nifty Of the remarkable bin turning over Armory
Square,-one OF the most conspicuous portions Of
the tremendously outlined stretch OF public
grounds between the Capitol and the Potomac-to
railroad purposes, but one OF them claims in an
equally remarkable defence OF the BILL that 1t does
not gire that square to the railroad companies as
asserted by THE STAR, but that the land may be
sold or rented to the railroads. The bill authorizes
the two companies to erect union depot upon the
reservation, and continues as follows: THE said
companies may in addition acquire land and erect
freight depots, thereon, at points adj
Jacent 10 their lines south Of Maryland and Viz
gfnia avenues and east of 9th street east" Pro-
vision for the condemnation OF this private prop
erty taken, and payment therefor is made, but
nothing is said as TO compensation for the public
land. The different items of expense connected
with the change are considered and apportioned
between the two roads. The expense OF construct
ing the union depot Is to be borne by the two roads
jointly, but there is no suggestion of expense con-
nected with the site and no appOrtionment OF that
expense. The bill which grants the privilege OF
using the reservation would provide for the COM
penSation for such use II any charge were in
tended.
If, however, the bill were amended so that the
reservation was not in fact given to the railroads.
the objection to the bill. SO far as Washington is
concerned, would not be in the least obviated.
railroad purposes, whether paid for or not. II
Congress once begins 10 treat the public parks
title TO which is In the government, property to
be disposed OF by 1t for business or speculative
purposes to the end that the United States may
put money In its purse, who can say what injury
TO Washington and scandal to the nation may
not result? The government OF the United States,
in effect, holds the title to the reservations in
trust, for public purposes. and not for private
speculation.
TIE STAR heartily favors a union depot and
limitations upon the railroad control of Washing
ton streets, but the railroads ought to condemn
and pay for private property at some convenient
and central point and there build union depot
1t Is not the public alone which profits by the con-
venient location of a railroad station Washing
ton cannot afford TO have network OF tracks and
huge union depot with all its noise and smoke
and dirt planted at the foot Of the Capitol in the
center OF the line of reservations which will some
day constitute the most beautiful park and drive
way In the world. Considerations both of health
fulness and beauty forbid Nor can the United
States afford, either to give away the public parks
TO corporations or to go into the business Of ped
ding them out TO corporations for money-making
purposes. Congress having recently spared the
reservations and paid out large sum to private
individuals for land TO be used for library purposes
by ITSELF is hardly likely in the scarcity OF public
ground to dispose OF it to others as gift and the
peddlng suggestion Is absurd.
The second rejection by the Senate of the nomin-
alton Of Matthews for District recorder OF deeds
strengthens and confirms the principle OF home
rule for the District, for which in this and other
cases THE STAR has steadily contended. The NOM
ination was rejected distinctly upon that ground
The democratic party has pledged itself In favor
OF the appointment OF citizens OF the District to
District offices; the republican party by its Sena-
tors gives practical force and effect to the princi-
Pile; and with both parties in line the prospects
for kind OF home-rule are now rather more prom
1Stng In washington than In Ireland. The ATTEMPT
70 make the color question issue in this matter
and 70 influence Senatorial action by threats OF
race prejudice, failed as it deserved. Matthews
was rejected because he was not a District man
and not because he was colored man. Everybody
knows it, and every thoughtful citizen Of the Dis
trict approves IT. And the action merits the ap-
prevail Of every American citizen, without regard
to his color or his political prejudices.
MI. Goschen's defeat In Liverpool gives the lib
erals only shortltved rejoicing but they natural
~ feel elated In view Of the odds they had to fight
against. In oxford the conservatives Will proba-
bly, have no opposition worth mention; still it
VIII not be pleasant reflection for them that the
man who was in many respects the strongest
member OF their government, had to take refuge In
partisan stronghold to recover from a whipping
received In the open field.
The Cox family has not released its grip ON the
Turkish mission When S. s. comes home W. p
gets ready to go out. 1t viii be j. D. s. turn next
Fortunately for the public, they are all good men
The American hog may have been headed on in
Germany, but he Is pushing his way elsewhere
, He had fun possession Of the supper room at the
Chinese reception Tuesday night
90 M FLANNEL SHIRTS FOR eeC AT THE
%OsVO Great Clearing Sale, at the
.